Category Archives: South Island 2017

A Break Away with Hot Pools

It’s been a really busy few months, so we haven’t been away as much as we’d have liked. A weather window popped up, the fantastic tradespeople working on our bathroom had just finished, and we were ready to go.

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Parked near everything

Rotorua is one of our favourite spots for hot pools, so it went straight to the top of the list. Even better, Tasman Holiday Parks were running an NZMCA deal for a few nights. Last time we came here a few years ago, it was Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park. It’s a fantastic place right in the heart of the shopping area, so there’s plenty to see and do.

Great Location


I haven’t posted much recently as the past year has been a big one at home. We tackled a major job on our old ’60s kitchen and living area, stripped the living room of furniture, pulled out the old kitchen, laid a new floor, removed an unnecessary second doorway, and installed a brand-new kitchen.

All our furniture lived in the carport for the best part of a week, fun times! A huge thanks to Emma and DJ at DJ Cabinetries for the superb design and installation, we couldn’t be happier. Our longtime plumber, Mike Peters, and painter, Brad Tik, did amazing work too.

Click on the Gallery below to see before and afters

This year, we did the same to the bathroom. Our superb builders discovered the floor was particle board, no good for a wet area so it was replaced with treated ply, as the joists were beyond legal span, those were sorted too. It all took a bit longer, but it’s great to have it up to code and done properly.

Longtime builder friend Paul Jervis and his son Fischer led the charge, with Mike the plumber and Brad the painter involved again. Thanks also to the others I haven’t mentioned with both projects, everyone did brilliantly with the small spaces and turned them into what we now think is a bit of a palace.

Magic!

Back to the Rotorua trip. We scooted off early midweek, stopped in Cambridge for lunch, and then checked into the holiday park. We were allocated a site right opposite the hot pool complex and close to the ablutions, perfect. With the cold temperatures sneaking in, it was great not having to sprint too far with not very much on!

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We started the first day with a walk into town to the French café, always a favourite for their crêpes, and the coffee’s great too. After that, we wandered down to Eat St for a glass of wine and a G&T for Fiona, had a brief look around, then headed back to the hot pools for a blissful soak.

Fiona at Eat St
Eat st

It’s a well-laid-out park in a fantastic position, with everything close by. Rotorua’s well served with great restaurants and cafés, and there’s plenty to see and do. We spent the best part of a day at Rotorua Central, and Trade Central Mall is just over the road from the holiday park.

The hot pool
Close to the pool.

In the end, we stayed four nights, a great break away. The deals are still on, so make the most of them and check them out.

Rafe’s tracker map to Rotorua – Armada GPS

Busy at Whitianga

After a fantastic couple of nights in Coromandel, we packed up and headed over the hill toward Whitianga. With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, we weren’t quite sure how busy things would get during the “silly season.”

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Hot and Sunny!

The Beach

Our first stop was at the main beach, where Fiona decided to stretch her legs with a walk along the promenade into town and back. After soaking in the views, we made our way to the NZMCA park.

The Whitianga NZMCA park when we arrived. By the next day it was chocka.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t as packed as we’d feared. The park was only about 30% full when we arrived, but by the next day—New Year’s Eve, it was full to the brim! The vibe was great, though, with lots of friendly folks around, and the bonus.  Being right next to the airfield meant we got to enjoy some incredible aerial displays from several warbirds flown in from Ardmore. It was absolutely fantastic!

Close to the airfield

On our second day, we wandered into town for lunch. Whitianga was buzzing with energy, but not overwhelming.

We spent some time in the shade under the umbrellas while having lunch on the left.

We enjoyed a delicious meal on the main street and took our time exploring the shops. The heat was in full swing, so we took regular breaks to sit in the shade and people-watch. It was one of those perfect summer afternoons.

On the way back, we popped into Woolworths for a few supplies before heading back to the truck. The rest of the day was pure bliss chilling out with some music, enjoying the lively atmosphere, and watching the world go by at the now very busy park

Rafe’s tracker map to Whitianga – Armada GPS

Waipu Cove – Stunning Spot

I’ve been meaning to pop in here for years but because we have several friends near here, it never seems to work out.

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We left Colins POP early in the morning in Mangawhai and cruised over the hill past Langs Beach and onto Waipu Cove. It really is a stunning little spot well served by a great Restaurant, a Dairy and a Fish and Chip shop.

Our neighbours at Waipu

We checked into the Waipu Cove campground with a very smiley Jemma on the front desk. You know its always going to go well when you get greeted like that 🙂 She was very helpful and pointed us to a parking spot right behind the sandhills by the beach.

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After settling down Rafe, opening vents and plugging in and finding out where everything was, we checked out the beach and then, decided to walk down to the Cove Restaurant (same organisation as in Mangawhai and very good!)

Back towards the Cove

They gave us an amazing, shared platter with bits of everything starting with Oysters and Pork belly… just fantastic and as we couldn’t do full meals, just perfect along with a Gin and a Chardy 🙂

Fiona walking up the beach.

A well spent couple of hours here and we crossed the road and walked back to the campground along the beach and through the sandhills. Just a wonderful spot.

Waipu campground. oodles of room.

A few brave souls were in the water and although I did twitch for a swim, by the time I was ready to get in, the clouds rolled in, so it didn’t happen 🙂

Fantastic beach

After an afternoon of chatting with others and sitting on the beach, we walked just outside the campground gates to get Fish and Chips.

Looking back from the sandhill, you can see Rafe in the corner of the hedge.

Another Fantastic day, not doing a lot but great weather generally, nice people and a lovely spot.

Our spot at Waipu Cove.. you can see the sandhills behind.

We’ll be back here, it’s all just so easy and that beach!

Rafe’s tracker map to Waipu Cove – Armada GPS

Shelly Beach

This has been on my list of places to see for quite a few years, and I finally get to go there. The weather forecast was evil but as it turned out it didn’t really eventuate to the level promised 🙂

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The cafe

I arrived just in time for lunch at the Cafe to check in for a park for the night.

The ablutions and cafe behind

I was served by a very friendly chap who gave me the run down on where everything was and then made my lunch and a coffee so I was off to a great start. The parking was $12 per peron which included power, showers and toilets. There is also a dump station there too!

The parking area

The parking is basically one behind the other on what looked like it was once a wide driveway, so you need some wheel ramps to combat a slight camber.

Parking

The facilities are fantastic and look reasonably newish but well maintained.

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I met my very friendly neighbours on both sides and after that went for a walk down to the wharf where several people were enjoying their fishing. I’m not sure what the birds were but there were lots of them.

Lovely spot.

Later, I was showing my neighbour from Orewa one of the year books I used to produce for the Classic Yacht Association, and he recognised himself in one of the photos!

Its been in the wars 🙂

A lovely spot to stay in a nice part of the world.

Rafe’s Tracker map to Shelley Beach – Armada – GPS

The Coastal Walkway

This amazing walkway starts at The New Plymouth port and runs right around to Bell Block.

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Port Taranaki

East End Beach

The last time we were in New Plymouth with bikes, we stayed at the NZMCA Bell Block Park. From there, there is a track that runs just down from the main road to the coast and on into New Plymouth port. It’s a fantastic track being all concrete and easy.

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I joined it this time from the city and walked out to East End beach and along the track to Te Rewa Rewa bridge. Unfortunately, it is covered in plastic being blasted and painted. It is still a great walk out there and I was surprised by the amount of foot and bike traffic.

Back by the Holiday park

Busy on the track

It’s a great facility and its fantastic to see it getting so much use.

Covered in plastic

The Te Rewarewa ridge in 2019

Fitzroy Beach

It was great to back in New Plymouth. It was a catching up with friends’ trip, and to attend a Photo auction for Hospice Taranaki which was being held in town so I was keen to not be too far away from the action.

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Fitzroy Beach was the perfect place to stay being right next to the beach and an easy 20 minute walk into town along the waterfront.

Good flat parking

Kitchens and Showers

With a bit of wind around, it is protected by hedges everywhere you look. With nice big flat sites, two dump stations, nice clean Toilets and amazing showers, it was just perfect.

New Plymouth Port

Walking the dog.

There is a big jumping pillow and a great playground too for the kids.

The City to Bell Block walkway winds its way along the waterfront right across the front of the campground so there is plenty to see and do. There is a great Kiosk not far away on the sand dune that does coffees, Ice creams and everything else.

People riding on the walkway by the camp

On our last trip here quite a few years ago with bikes, we explored the walkway from Bell block all the way into town. See that here.

View from the top dump station 🙂

Great Hosts and nice campground handy to town.

Rafe’s Tracker map to Fitzroy Holiday Park – Armada GPS

Happy New Year

Where ever you are, I hope you’re having a great time (now that we’re allowed to) !

We’re in Little Waihi enjoying the water and doing very little 😃.

That’s Pukehina in the distance.

Happy New Year all and enjoy the time away.

A Happy Place

Another nice place to consider for summer!

Fiona’s cousin Iain has been coming here for years, every holiday break and he calls it his “Happy Place” and I heard somone else call it this too… and its all true 🙂

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A Happy Place

Kaiteriteri is just a magic place in the world and with an off season deal for NZMCA members at $98 a week, it truly is happy time sitting there amongst other nice NZMCA’rs looking at the beach literally in front of your front bumper!

Long termers in the middle rows

We’d just stopped and parked in front of the reception and I was walking in to check in when I met Selwyn and Lynda. This was before I’d even checked in ! They were off on a walk over to Little Kaiteriteri via a lookout on a track through the bush. They showed me how to get there so we could do it to. What a welcome !

Close to the water

The receptionist was amazing too. She insisted that if we weren’t happy with the site, I could shift which we did later.

Huge

Its a huge campground with muliple ammenties blocks. In winter, they cut costs by closing all but one block. There are more than 400 powered sites and several cottages. They even have their own small supermarket and nearby are several bars and restaurants to suit all tastes . A very well setup campground.

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After checking in on a brilliantly fine day, we went for a walk up to the lookout at one end of the beach and Fiona carried on to Little Kaiteriteri for more exercise. That afternoon, we sat around the beach and checked out the camp.

Fiona at the lookout

Later in the day, we met up again with Selwyn and Lynda who were only parked two away from us so we commandeered an empty barbeque table and enjoyed an hour of laughs and something cold with them. They hadn’t come that far as they lived in Motueka or “Mot” as its known locally. This to me gives you some idea of how good they think it is at Kaiteriteri when they could be anywhere.

Looking down from the lookout

The next day, we took off in Rafe over to the next bay around Marahau. It is a really bendy, twisty road and we averaged probably 30 k all the way there. Interesting though to see and it is another lovely bay. From here you can go right up into the Abel Tasman Park. We headed back on another easier road and stopped for a cup of tea at the charming coffee shop in Riwaka.

Looking across to Little Kaiteriteri

We have been here before a couple of years ago with Gary and Chris with their Fuso. But weren’t here long enough to have a good look around.

Lovely spot and a very Happy Place !

Rafes Track to Kaiteriteri

Another Milestone.. 600000 hits !!

That was a few weeks ago.. its now nearly 614000.. ! ..
Over 440 posts and 168,246 unique visitors from all around the world.

Rafe behaving himself

Thanks to you kind folk who have supported us.

Fantastic walks too in Coromandel

I’m in sunny Coromandel at the moment checking out some places I’ve wanted to check out for a while so there are some nice posts coming up.

Thanks again for your support..now for 700000 🙂

 

Launch of the Books – Free Download!

Wow.. what a week ..

The last 2 of our Bugger it We Are Off series books were launched last week.  All four are now on Amazon as Kindles EBooks.

To celebrate this, I’ve got the Napier Art deco book available for free for the next 4 days from today (US time) – Tomorrow NZ Time

From 1st August (US time), this book will be available for free for 5 days.  …..Click here

I’ve got them available in the Epub format as well for Ipads but haven’t got a Mac which you need to upload to the iTunes store.. I’ll find a way!

These publications are all based on this Blog.
I’m not expecting them to be best sellers but if someone out there finds a couple of things of interest in there, it was worth doing.

The blurb below is copied from the OUR Books page.

As a Photojournalist of some 25 plus years and a Commercial Photographer for another 20, these books are all about the images. We went to some amazing places giving me the opportunity to get some great images.

Bugger it we are off to the Pinnacles in a convoy is about meeting Motorhome friends in Taupo NZ (central North Island) and heading in our three Motorhomes down to the Pinnacles at the bottom of the North Island.

We travel through the Hawkes Bay wine region on the way, go to a UB40 concert, survive a raging storm and enjoy a great meal in an old style Country Lodge. Lots of fun and some great images.

Bugger it we are off to Europe in an Old Hymer is based on our two week trip to the UK to pick up an old Classic Hymer Motorhome and then following our Motorhome friends through the Chunnel and over 5 weeks explore central Europe with bikes.

There were lots of adventures and lots of laughs. A truly memorable experience.

Bugger it we are off to the South Island of NZ is about our three month trip in our own Dethleffs Globe 4 around the beautiful South Island of New Zealand.

We met lots of neat people, caught up with some friends and relatives, stayed in some amazing places and had a great time.

To see more about these books and links to buy, see our Book Page